TWIGGY - THE OFFICIAL SITE TWIGGY TWIGGY'S NEW BOOK! ORDER NOW TWIGGY'S STYLE BOOK ORDER NOW 1971 (GB) 125mins. Russflix Producer and Director: Ken Russell Synopsis: Musical. Based around Sandy Wilson's musical stageplay of the same title, Russell's extravagant production storms between delightful tackiness and exuberant fantasy in pastiche of 1920's stage musical (after Wilson) and Busby Berkeley's film musicals of the 30s. Twiggy plays Polly Browne, nervous stage manager of a production of "The Boy Friend" who is obliged to take the place of Rita, leading lady, (Glenda Jackson) who sprained her ankle. Russell's film follows the performance, which is a distaste onstage and off, as the cast compete for the attention of De Thrill, a Hollywood director in the audience. Simultaneously we follow the romantic entanglement of Polly and Tony, played by the young, blue-eyed blonde Christopher Gable.

Cast Includes: TWIGGY (Polly Browne), Christopher Gable (Tony Brockhurst), Barbara Windsor (Hortense), Tommy Tune (Tommy) and Moyra Fraser (Madame Dubonnet) Released On VHS / DVD (PAL / NTSC) 'W' 1974 (USA) 95mins. Bing Crosby Productions Producer: Mel Ferrer Director: Richard Quinne Synopsis: Thriller. About a woman whose first husband is imprisoned for having supposedly killed her. She takes on a new name and a new husband, but is being threatened by a series of near fatal accidents all signed with a 'W', her imprisoned husband's initial. Cast Includes: TWIGGY (Katie Lewis), Michael Whitney (Ben Lewis), Eugene Roche (Charles Jasper), Dirk Benedict (William Caulder) and John Vernon (Arnie Felson) Released On VHS (PAL / NTSC) THERE GOES THE BRIDE 1979 (GB) 91mins. Lonsdale Productions Producer: Ray Cooney Director: Terry Marcel Synopsis: Comedy. An advertising executive has to devise copy for a bra advertisment on the day of his daughter's wedding.

He suffers a blow to the head, which causes him to imagine that the cardboard figure of a girl has come to life. Cast Includes: Tom Smothers (Timothy Westerby), TWIGGY (Polly Perkins), Martin Balsam (Elmer Babcock), Sylvia Syms (Ursula Westerby) and Michael Whitney (Bill Shorter) Released On VHS (PAL / NTSC) Released On DVD (Region 1) THE BLUES BROTHERS 1980 (US) 148mins. Universal Pictures. Producer: Robert K. Weiss Director: John Landis Synopsis: Comedy. In this classic comedy-musical, Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi star as Jake and Elwood Blues, white rhythm-and-blues musicians who are on a mission from God: to raise $5,000 for the orphanage where they grew up. Featuring a host of guest stars. Cast Includes: John Belushi (Jake Blues), Dan Ackroyd (Elwood Blues), James Brown (Reverend Cleophus James), Aretha Franklin (Mrs.

Murphy) and TWIGGY (chic lady) Released On VHS (PAL / NTSC) Released On DVD (Region 1 / 2) PYGMALION Producer: David Cunliffe Director: John Glenister Synopsis: Period Drama. Adaptation of the play by George Bernard Shaw about cockney flower seller Eliza who aspires to be a respectable lady with the help of Professor Henry Higgins.. Cast Includes: Robert Powell (Henry Higgins), TWIGGY (Eliza Doolitle), Arthur English, Mona Washbourne and Ronald Fraser THE DOCTOR AND THE DEVILS 1985 (GB) 92mins. Brooksfilms Director: Freddie Francis Synopsis: Horror. Story about 18th century grave-robbers and their anatomy proffesor patron. Cast Includes: Timothy Dalton (Dr. Thomas Rock), Jonathan Pryce (Robert Fallon), TWIGGY (Jenny Bailey), Julian Sands (Dr. Murray) and Stephen Rea (Timothy Broom) Released On VHS / DVD (PAL / NTSC) CLUB PARADISE 1986 (US) 104mins. Warner Bros.

Producer: Micheal Shamberg Director: Harold Ramis Synopsis: Comedy. A disabled fireman uses his insurance settlement to become partners with a reggae musician in a seedy Caribbean club they hope to turn into a first class resort. Cast Includes: Robin Williams (Jack Moniker), Peter O'Toole (Governor Anthony Croyden Hayes), Rick Moranis (Barry Nye), TWIGGY (Phillipa Lloyd) and Jimmy Cliff (Ernest Reed) Released On VHS / DVD (PAL / NTSC) THE LITTLE MATCH GIRL Director: Michael Custance Synopsis: Musical. Musical version of Hans Christian Andersen's tale with music by Keith Strachan. Cast Includes: Roger Daltry (Jebb Macklin), TWIGGY (Josie Roberts), Jimmy Jewel (Butler), Natalie Morse (The matchgirl) and Paul Daneman (Mr. Fairbrother) Released On VHS / DVD (PAL / NTSC) MADAME SOUSATZKA 1988 (GB) 122mins. Sousatzka Productions Producer: Robin Dalton Director: John Schlesinger Synopsis: Drama.

Middle-aged Madame Sousatzka teaches piano to only the most gifted students and insists that her students learn to live a cultured lifestyle. Her latest protege is Manek. Cast Includes: Shirley MacLaine (Madame Sousatzka), Peggy Ashcroft (Lady Emily), TWIGGY (Jenny), Shabana Azmi (Sushila) and Leigh Lawson (Ronnie Blum) Released On VHS / DVD (PAL / NTSC) THE DIAMOND TRAP 1988 (US) 120mins. Jay Bernstein Productions Producer: Neil T. Maffeo Director: Don Taylor Synopsis: Crime. Filmed in New York, LA and London; The Diamond Trap follows the adventures of Detective Rawlings of NYPD as he pursues a diamond heist case that takes him to London, where he exposes the ultimate con and solves the crime. Cast Includes: Howard Hesseman (Detective Rawlings), Brooke Shields (Tara Holden), Ed Marinaro (Brendan Thomas), TWIGGY (Charlie Lawson) and Darren McGavin Released On VHS (NTSC) 1988 (GB) 94mins.

Yorkshire Television Producer: Pat Sandys Director: Lawrence Gordon Clark Synopsis: Romance. Fen is beautiful, Robert handsome - and they are both adored by their eight year old daughter Emily. But even the happiest of marriages can be vulnerable and Emily has to watched puzzled as things begin to change. Broadcast on ITV on September 16th, 1988 Cast Includes: TWIGGY (Fen Harris), James Fox (Robert Harris), Anna Massey (Marcia Burrowes), Robert O'Mahoney (Mark McCloud) and Duncan Preston (Tom) YOUNG CHARLIE CHAPLIN 1989 (GB) 140mins. Thames Television Producer: Colin Schindler Director: Baz Taylor Synopsis: Drama. Six part series on the youth of Charlie Chaplin, before he left for America. Shown to coincide with the centenary of Chaplin's birth.

Cast Includes: TWIGGY (Hannah Chaplin), Ian McShane (Charles Chaplin Snr), Joe Geary (Charlie Chaplin), Liz Kirby (Anges) and Jeremy Stockwell (Fernando Napoli) Released On VHS / DVD ISTANBUL (KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN) 1990 (SE) 85mins. Omega Films Producer: Peter Kropenin Director: Mats Arehn Synopsis: Thriller. About a New York Times correspondent based in Sweden who travels to Istanbul with his daughter on a secret mission . Cast Includes: Timothy Bottoms, TWIGGY (Maud), Robert Morley, Emma Kihlberg and Lena Endre Released On VHS (PAL / NTSC) Released On DVD (Spain) 1993 (US) 95mins. 187 Corp. Producer: Sandy King Director: John Carpenter Synopsis: Horror. TV film made up of 3 creepy stories inter-connected and introduced by the keepers of a morgue. EYE: about a half-blinded sportsman, who has an eye-transplant and begins to take on the personality of the dead donor.

Cast Includes: Mark Hamill (Brent), TWIGGY (Cathy), John Agar (Doctor Lang), Roger Corman (Doctor Bregman) and Eddie Velez (player) Released On VHS (PAL / NTSC) Released On DVD (The Netherlands) SOMETHING BORROWED, SOMETHING BLUE 1998 (US) Director: Gwen Arner Synopsis: Drama. Three brides go through the usual pre-wedding hassles including dealing with a stalker, telling your fiance about the child you gave up for adoption and falling in love with another man. Cast Includes: Connie Sellecca, TWIGGY LAWSON, Shawnee Smith and Ken Howard Released On VHS (PAL) The Boy Friend (1971) The Boy Friend Saturday February, 4 2017 at 02:00 PM Films in BOLD will Air on TCM * | VIEW TCMDb ENTRY Thursday, October 27 11:15 pm ET The British director Ken Russell once commented, "I never want to do a violent, disturbing film like The Devils (1971) again. That's why I did The Boy Friend (1971).

It's pure escapism and fun." Marked by Russell's imaginative approach to storytelling, The Boy Friend is a tribute to old Hollywood musicals that moves between reality and elaborate fantasies as the film unfolds. The action centers on a vulgar, amateurish production of a featherbrained musical - "The Boy Friend" - performed in the English backwater of Portsmouth by an incompetent cast of repertory players. The catty and pretentious cast of actors vie for the attention of their very small audience, but egos really become unhinged when a noted film director shows up in the theater for a matinee performance. In an unfortunate stroke of bad luck, the Portsmouth production's star, Rita (Russell regular Glenda Jackson) breaks her ankle and must be relieved by the timid, mousy understudy and Assistant Stage Manager Polly Browne (English proto-supermodel Twiggy). While famed Hollywood director De Thrill (Vladek Sheybal) sits in a theater box watching the increasingly frantic, attention-grabbing theatrics of the cast, Polly struggles to remember her lines and get through the dance numbers without ruining the production.

In the process, her unaffected, shy charm manages to upstage the flamboyant grandstanding and sexually provocative frenzy of the other actors and actresses who will stop at nothing to attract De Thrill's attention. Russell's The Boy Friend inspires a number of comic moments from the low budget song-and-dance productions on the Portsmouth stage, where set decorations often fall apart in the midst of a musical number, and the delusional fantasies of the cast occasionally lapse into grand visions of what the production could have been. As pompous stage manager Max (Max Adrian) sighs, "if only we had money," Russell unfurls a number of expensive, lavish production numbers that express Max's unfulfilled theatrical desires. Later, the love-struck Polly, who harbors an all-consuming crush on her leading man Tony (Royal Ballet dancer Christopher Gable, who also choreographed), imagines the two in a Dionysian idyll with the rest of the cast in the middle of a leafy forest. In the original 1954 Broadway incarnation of The Boy Friend (which starred Julie Andrews), writer Sandy Wilson satirized the conventions of 1920s stage musicals.

Russell offers a more affectionate and personal homage in his version, however, to Hollywood musicals of the Thirties. Indulging his own creative fantasies, Russell stages grand scale dance numbers filled with beautiful, perfectly choreographed dancers that mimic the spectacle and sensuality of Busby Berkeley musical routines in films like 42nd Street (1933). And while Russell takes an ironic, humorous approach to the stylized conventions of old Hollywood, he clearly embraces their lovable, endearing qualities. A large part of The Boy Friend's appeal is undoubtedly due to then 21-year-old Twiggy, in her film debut. Twiggy brings just the right note of innocence and an ethereal, delicate romantic heroine quality straight out of old Hollywood to her part. The former model sensation of Swinging London, Twiggy displays an affecting sweetness, splendid dancing ability and a lovely voice, which defy every cliche of the talentless model-turned-actress. "Twiggy is a unique person," said Russell of his leading lady.

"Of all the people I have ever worked with, she comes nearer to perfection than anyone else." Despite its many charms, The Boy Friend is often seen as an inferior film to Russell's "serious" dramas like his adaptations of D. H. Lawrence's Women in Love (1969) and The Rainbow (1989). But there is no denying Russell's wholly original and inventive self-reflexive approach to classic Hollywood musicals. Not content to merely honor those films, Russell also gives The Boy Friend a modern touch by introducing British class tension, hints of lesbianism, bawdy physical comedy and a telling comparison of film and stage craft. Russell shows where his prejudice lies, showing how in the moments of film fantasy that anything is possible, as opposed to the stage where rules of gravity and reality weigh more heavily. Much of the criticism of The Boy Friend may also be due to a badly edited American release of the film, from which 14 minutes and key plot points were trimmed, which negatively influenced perceptions of this utterly magical film.

Director/Producer: Ken Russell Screenplay: Ken Russell based on a play by Sandy Wilson Cinematography: David Watkin Production Design: Tony Walton Music: Non-Original Music by Nacio Herb Brown and Sandy Wilson Cast: Twiggy (Polly Browne), Christopher Gable (Tony Brockhurst), Moyra Fraser (Madame Dubonnet), Max Adrian (Max), Bryan Pringle (Percy), Catherine Willmer (Lady Brockhurst), Murray Melvin (Alphonse), Georgina Hale (Fay), Sally Bryant (Nancy), Vladek Sheybal (De Thrill), Tommy Tune (Tommy), Glenda Jackson (Rita), Antonia Ellis (Maisie). C-138m. Letterboxed. Closed captioning. Movie Review - - Film: 'The Boy Friend':Twiggy Plays Polly in Russell Screenplay - NYTimes.com Film: 'The Boy Friend':Twiggy Plays Polly in Russell Screenplay By ROGER GREENSPUN Published: December 17, 1971 The problem of how to adapt a stage musical to the screen is commonly settled by default.

More money, more cast, more orchestra, and locations—and suddenly you should have cinema where before you had theater. In point of fact you usually have nothing, not even an original cast album. Ken Russell doesn't settle things by default, and he understands, perhaps too well, that film is also theater. It follows that his version of Sandy Wilson's 1950's musical about the 1920's, "The Boy Friend," is not so much an adaptation as almost total transformation — honorable transformation, for the most part. The movie concerns a down-at-the-heels British troupe who are doing a musical called "The Boy Friend" somewhere in the provinces, too far from London. One fateful day the leading lady catches her high heel in a trolley track and Polly, the mousey little assistant stage manager, must go on in her place. "You're going out there a youngster; you've got to come back a star," cautions her boss. But Polly is not only shy, and mostly ignorant of her part; she is also desperately, transparently in love with Tony, the leading man. And on her day of torment, who should show up in the stage box but the great talkingpicture director, De Thrill.

Of course nobody will play the play; everyone plays for De Thrill—except Tony, who is too nice, and Polly, who is too simple. I do not wish to spoil anyone's pleasure by giving away the secrets of the plot (whom Tony loves; who finally gets the Hollywood offer; etc.), but you can imagine the pleasure Mr. Russell must have had in filming a musical that takes place onstage, backstage, in Polly's romantic imagination, in the film fantasies of De Thrill, in the eye of the beholder, and of course in the mind of the maker, Mr. Russell — whose meditation on the history of the movie musical from "42nd Street" to "The Bandwagon" (at least) this movie so very largely is. Therefore, "The Boy Friend" contains enough for 20 ordinary movie musicals.

There are production numbers within production numbers and styles within styles—beginning with the stage properties of the poor provincial troupe (which look elaborate enough to bankrupt all of Broadway) and proceeding to the kind of calculated excess in which, for example, one giant phonograph turntable spinning a geometric arrangement of chorus girls suddenly splits, amoeba-like, into two giant turntables—as if the first commandment of cinema were: "Be fruitful all, and multiply." You will say, "Busby Berkeley." But with Mr. Russell, what goes in as Busby Berkeley comes out feeling Venusberg in a road company "Tannhäuser"—an arrangement that may not be to everyone's taste. I am surprised to find that it is rather greatly to my taste; partly because it is often as witty as it is elaborate, partly because it works its variations on the fully recognizable and still quite wonderful Sandy Wilson words and music, and partly because it is supported by a charming and energetic cast. As the central question in that cast Twiggy succeeds beyond all expectation. She dances well, sings well enough, acts with a natural grace, and offers a face that perfectly resists the sometimes exploitative exaggerations of Mr. Russell's camera.

The Cast THE BOY FRIEND, directed by Ken Russell; screenplay by Mr. Russell, adapted from the musical play by Sandy Wilson; director of photography, David Watkin; edited by Michael Bradsell; musical director, Peter Maxwell-Davies; chorengrapher, Terry Gilbert; produced by Mr. Russell; released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. At the R.K.O. Twin II Theater, 59th Street, east of Third Avenue. Running time: 110 minutes. (The Motion Picture Association of America's Production Code and Rating Administration classifies this film: "G—all ages admitted, general audiences.") Polly Browne . . . . . Twiggy Madame Dubonnet/Mrs. Parkhill . . . . . Moyre Fraser Percival Browne/Mr. Percy Parkhill . . . . . Bryan Pringle Lord Brockhurst/Maxamillian . . . . . Max Adrian The Boy Friend (1971) - IMDb IMDb There was an error trying to load your rating for this title. Some parts of this page won't work property. Please reload or try later. X Beta I'm Watching This! Keep track of everything you watch; tell your friends.

Error The assistant stage manager of a small-time theatrical company (Polly Browne) is forced to understudy for the leading lady (Rita) at a matinée performance at which an illustrious Hollywood ... See full summary » Director: Famous Directors: From Sundance to Prominence From Christopher Nolan to Quentin Tarantino and every Coen brother in between, many of today's most popular directors got their start at the Sundance Film Festival . Here's a list of some of the biggest names to go from Sundance to Hollywood prominence. a list of 49 titles created 03 Feb 2012 a list of 36 titles created 30 May 2012 a list of 30 titles created 18 Jul 2013 a list of 37 titles created 11 Dec 2013 a list of 35 titles created 18 Jul 2015 Title: The Boy Friend (1971) 7.9/10 Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below. You must be a registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin. Nominated for 1 Oscar.

Another 4 wins & 3 nominations. See more awards » Photos Piano teacher Peter Ilych Tchaikovsky struggles against his homosexuality by marrying, but unfortunately he chooses a nymphomaniac whom he cannot satisfy. Director: Ken Russell Biographical film of the life of French sculptor Henri Gaudier-Brzeska. Director: Ken Russell Composer Gustav Mahler's life, told in a series of flashbacks as he and his wife discuss their failing marriage during a train journey. Director: Ken Russell Composer and pianist Franz Liszt attempts to overcome his hedonistic lifestyle while repeatedly being drawn back into it by the many women in his life and fellow composer Richard Wagner. Director: Ken Russell In 1926 the tragic and untimely death of a silent screen actor caused female moviegoers to riot in the streets and in some cases to commit suicide - that actor was Rudolph Valentino. ... See full summary » Director: Ken Russell Two best friends fall in love with a pair of women, but the relationships soon go in very different directions.

Director: Ken Russell A mysterious woman, fashion designer by day, prostitute by night, and accused of murder, is hounded by two men: a married father of two, and a sexually repressed preacher. Director: Ken Russell The Shelleys visit Lord Byron and compete to write a horror story. Director: Ken Russell In 17th-century France, Father Urbain Grandier seeks to protect the city of Loudun from the corrupt establishment of Cardinal Richelieu. Hysteria occurs within the city when he is accused of witchcraft by a sexually repressed nun. Director: Ken Russell The prostitute Liz works on the streets of Los Angeles. She recalls her life in flashback, when she marries an alcoholic man. She leaves him with their son. Then she works as waitress in a ... See full summary » Director: Ken Russell A drab little English seaside town tries to improve its image - and increase its revenues - by holding a film festival. When a famous continental star agrees to attend, things get out of hand. Director: Ken Russell Scottish archaeologist Angus Flint discovers an odd skull amid the ruins of a convent that he is excavating. Shortly thereafter, Lady Sylvia Marsh returns to Temple House, a nearby mansion,...

See full summary » Director: Ken Russell Edit Storyline The assistant stage manager of a small-time theatrical company (Polly Browne) is forced to understudy for the leading lady (Rita) at a matinée performance at which an illustrious Hollywood director (Cecil B. DeThrill) is in the audience scouting for actors to be in his latest "all-talking, all-dancing, all-singing" extravaganza. Polly also happens to fall in love with the leading man (Tony) and imagines several fabulous fantasy sequences in which the director is free to exercise his capacity for over-the-top visuals in this charming 1920's era flick. Written by Bliss Blood <soundex@sccsi.com> A Glittering Super Colossal Heart Warming Toe-Tapping Continously Delightful Musical Extravaganza See more » Genres: 25 February 1972 (Ireland) See more » Also Known As: Last film of Max Adrian . See more » Quotes Polly Browne : [singing] We want to have, we plot to have, for it's so dreary not to have that certain thing called "The Boyfriend".

(london, England) – See all my reviews Russell's homage to the twenties has aged better than most of his films because the tone is so right. The orchestration is period-perfect, and the costumes (by Russell's then-wife, Shirley) are astounding. Likewise the amazing sets echo the designs of Clarice Cliff, Lucy Atwell and a host of others. Twiggy is that rare star, a model who made a great transition to film, and she's supported by a Who's Who cast of English performers, especially bad girl Antonia Ellis, who went on to star in the British stage version of 'Chicago'. To cap it all, the film works on three distinct levels, the backstage musical, the onstage drama and the fantasy version. Some lines have even become catchphrases. Sandy Wilson, the original show's author, wrote a sequel called 'Divorce Me, Darling', which parodied the thirties. Some prints are shown without the 'Woodland Pastoral' dance sequence. 11 of 12 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?

Yes Twiggy - IMDb IMDb 17 January 2017 4:34 PM, UTC NEWS Actress | Soundtrack Twiggy is a top model of the late 1960s, who made skinny an "inny", along with other famous skinny models such as Jean Shrimpton ("The Shrimp"), Veruschka von Lehndorff , and Penelope Tree ("The Tree"). She was born Leslie Hornby on September 19, 1949, in Twickenham, Middlesex, England, one of three daughters of 'Nell Hornby' (née Nellie Lydia ... See full bio » Born: Share this page: Related News a list of 33 people created 30 Dec 2010 a list of 30 people created 13 Aug 2011 a list of 29 people created 22 Jan 2013 a list of 44 people created 06 Jun 2013 a list of 29 people created 06 Dec 2015 Do you have a demo reel? Add it to your IMDbPage How Much Have You Seen?

How much of Twiggy's work have you seen? User Polls Won 2 Golden Globes. See more awards » Known For America's Next Top Model Herself - Judge / Herself - Judge - Fashion Icon / Fashion Icon (2005-2008) 1995 The Late Show (TV Series documentary) Sophie's Mother - Sophie's World (1995) ... Sophie's Mother 1994 Heartbeat (TV Series) 1993 Body Bags (TV Movie) Cathy Matthews (segment "Eye") - The New Arrival (1992) ... Bonnie (as Twiggy Lawson) 1991 Princesses (TV Series) 1988 The Diamond Trap (TV Movie) Det. Sgt. Charlie Lawson 1988 Sun Child (TV Movie) Fen Harris 1976 Victorian Scandals (TV Series) Florence Cook 1975 Am laufenden Band (TV Series) Singer - Broadway's Lost Treasures (2003) ...

(performer: "Kickin' the Clouds Away") 1997 The Nanny (TV Series) (performer - 1 episode) - Fran's Gotta Have It (1997) ... (performer: "A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square") 1988 Madame Sousatzka (performer: "Hiding from the Eyes of Love") 1976 The Muppet Show (TV Series) (performer - 1 episode) - Twiggy (1976) ... (performer: "In My Life", "Ain't Nobody's Business but My Own") 1976 The Sonny and Cher Show (TV Series) (performer - 1 episode) - Episode #2.10 (1976) ...

(performer: "Pieces Of April") 1971 The Boy Friend (performer: "The Boy Friend", "Any Old Iron", "I Could Be Happy with You", "You Are My Lucky Star", "A Room in Bloomsbury", "Act II Finale: I Could Be Happy with You - Part I", "Act II Finale: I Could Be Happy with You - Part II", "All I Do is Dream of You", "Poor Little Pierrette" - as Twiggy Lawson) Hide The Boy Friend (1971) - Cast, Ratings, Awards The Boy Friend The Boy Friend (1971) Musical Comedy | G | 2 hours and 16 minutes | December 16, 1971 (USA) Be the first to review Smart Rating Producer: Ken Russell When the leading lady of a traveling theatrical troupe injures herself, the group's shy and demure stage manager, Polly (Twiggy), is suddenly thrust into the spotlight to take her place. As luck would have it, she makes her debut on the same day that famous movie director De Thrill (Vladek Sheybal) attends the performance.

Eager to make the jump to motion pictures, all of the actors play to De Thrill, compounding Polly problems. Only the leading man, Tony (Christopher Gable), is sympathetic. See All Movies | Music Theatre International Music Theatre International 421 W. 54th Street, 2nd Fl. New York, NY 10019 Sandy Wilson's The Boy Friend An heiress' quest to land a boyfriend is the heart of this 1920s jazz-inspired spoof. Show Essentials Full Synopsis Act One The show may open with an optional curtain speech. In the speech, a cast member briefly describes the period of the show, the 1920s. The actor assures the audience that the era roared as loudly in England and along the Riviera as it did in America. The announcer then introduces the band, the Bearcats. We open in Madame Dubonnet's Finishing School outside of Nice, France. The girls, all in their late teens, enter in a tizzy. They are scolded by Hortense, the chic French maid at the school, and reminded of their noblewomen-like expectations ("Perfect Young Ladies").

Enter the demure Polly Browne, announcing that her secret escort for the costume ball that evening will arrive at any moment. She plans on attending the dance in costume as Pierrette, and, in anticipation of the festivities, the girls reflect on the essential element for their exciting night ahead: the boy friend ("The Boy Friend"). Headmistress Mme. Dubonnet appears. The girls disperse, but she asks to speak with Polly. After a bit of cross-examination, Polly admits that she has no date for the dance; her wealthy father forbids her to have a boy friend, and young men who show interest in her might only be after their family fortune. Mme. Dubonnet assures Polly that she will speak with Mr. Browne as soon as he arrives for the ball. Maisie, Polly's vivacious classmate, interrupts. After Mme. Dubonnet leaves, the dapper playboy, Bobby Van Husen, appears at the French windows and, although Maisie tries to shoo him away, he begs her to promise him every dance at the ball ("Won't You Charleston with Me?").

As they leave, Percival Browne, a pompous older gentleman – and Polly's father – arrives to see Mme. Dubonnet. As she enters, she is startled. It is a sudden moment of recognition. They begin by discussing Polly, but Mme. Dubonnet suggests that they have met before. She asks Percival if he remembers her, but he insists that he does not ("Fancy Forgetting"). The romantic tension is obvious to most. Polly comes in just as Tony, a messenger boy, delivers a package intended for her. Their attraction to one another is instantaneous, and she invites him to escort her to the carnival ball as Pierrot. They dance. Tony professes that he could be happy with Polly if only she could be happy with a lowly messenger boy ("I Could Be Happy with You"). They plan to meet at the bandstand on the beach later that afternoon. Tony leaves as Polly realizes that she doesn't even know his name. Percival enters and sees Polly; he notices her joy and happiness, and she secretly reveals to all of the girls that her "boy friend" has, indeed, arrived ("The Boy Friend – Reprise").

Act Two That same afternoon at the shore, everyone is in beach attire, having a lovely time ("Sur Le Plage"). Lord Brockhurst, complete with monocle and high blood pressure, enters, flirting with the bathing beauties, but Lady Brockhurst is close behind. They discuss the mysterious disappearance of their son, Tony, from his college at Oxford. Lord Brockhurst continues eyeing the young girls in their bathing costumes. Elsewhere, Polly and Tony meet up as planned. She denies being an heiress to a fortune, claiming to be a lowly secretary at the school. They joyously share their enthusiasm for the simple life ("A Room in Bloomsbury"). They are on the verge of a kiss as Hortense comes in. She is horrified. Polly convinces Hortense to keep their secret from Mme. Dubonnet, and the couple run off as the other young bathers arrive en masse, teasing Hortense. Lord Brockhurst spots Mme. Dubonnet with Percival Browne and Brockhurst is smitten with the lady. She leaves to find Percival a bathing suit, and Brockhurst questions Browne about her. Percival resents the intrusion, though.

Lady Brockhurst arrives again and whisks her husband away as Mme. Dubonnet comes back with bathing trunks in hand. Percival doesn't want to put them on, and Mme. Dubonnet bemoans him being a bad sport ("You Don't Want to Play with Me Blues"). All of the boys are focused on the coquettish Maisie, begging her to promise them a dance at the ball. She flirts with all of them, to Bobby's frustration ("Safety in Numbers"). Tony and Polly enter and arrange to meet at the cafe at nine before the ball ("I Could Be Happy with You"). They kiss as the Brockhursts enter and spot their son, Tony. He runs off as the Brockhursts call for a gendarme. In the confusion, everyone believes that Tony is a thief – including Polly. She fears that this means he was a gold digger all along. Act Three On the terrace of the cafe, couples are dancing. Mme. Dubonnet and Percival discuss Polly and realize that she is indeed in love and in need of a confidante. They recall their Armistice Day rendezvous.

Bobby proposes to Maisie, and she promises to give him an answer at midnight; the other girls accept similar proposals from Alphonse, Marcel and Pierre. They agree to give their beaux answers at midnight, as well. The boys are frustrated by having to wait ("The Riviera"). Tony enters, and Hortense buttonholes him. She reports that Polly is broken-hearted. He enlists Hortense to urge Polly to attend the ball and he leaves to change into his costume. Lord Brockhurst, meanwhile, flirts with Dulcie. She says that he is too old to be flirting with her, but he protests, citing the advantages of loving a mature man of the world ("It's Never Too Late to Fall in Love"). Suddenly, a forlorn Polly, costumed as Pierrette, appears. Lady Brockhurst recognizes Polly as the girl with Tony and, upon seeing Polly in her costume, Mme. Dubonnet recalls a song that she knew as a child and sings it for Polly to cheer her up ("Poor Little Pierrette"). Tony, costumed and masked as Pierrot, arrives and approaches Polly, asking for the next dance. She is unsure, but his kiss assures her that this is her Tony.

The Brockhursts embrace their son. Tony and Polly admit to each other they have been flying under false colors. He confesses that he is the heir to the Brockhurst fortune, and she admits that she is the daughter of the millionaire, Percival Browne. Percival Browne then announces that Mme. Dubonnet has agreed to become his wife. It's suddenly midnight, and the boys await their fate. It's a unanimous yes! They all dance and sing ("The Boy Friend / A Room in Bloomsbury – Reprise"). Casting It's Never Too Late To Fall In Love Show History Inspiration Set in a finishing school in France in the 1920s, The Boy Friend draws on both the music and the aesthetic of the roaring twenties. Written in 1954, during the Golden Age of the modern book musical, the show is a pastiche of 1930s musicals, such as those written by Cole Porter and Rodgers and Hart (who wrote a musical called The Girl Friend in 1926.) Productions The Boy Friend initially opened at London's Players' Theatre Club on April 14, 1953.

It then opened in the West End at Wyndham's Theatre on January 14, 1954. Proving to be very popular, the show ran for 2,078 performances – over five years. The show then opened on Broadway at the Royale Theatre on September 30, 1954. The show got raves, but closed on November 26, 1955, after 485 performances. The Boy Friend was revived in 1970, starring Sandy Duncan as Maisie. It opened at the Ambassador Theatre on April 14, 1970, and ran for 111 performances. In 2003 a production of the The Boy Friend opened at the Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor, NY. This production was later presented at the Goodspeed Opera House from July to September 2005. The production then toured North America from October 2005 through March 2006. On its fortietth anniversary, The Boy Friend returned to The Players' Theatre in 1995.

Directed by Maria Charles (the original Dulcie) with choreography by Geoffrey Webb (from the original company), the new production was intentionally a reproduction of the original. In 2006, The Boy Friend played the Open Air Theatre at Regent's Park, London. Proving to be highly acclaimed, the production was revived during the theatre's 2007 season. Cultural Influence In 1971, a film version of The Boy Friend was made, directed by Ken Russell and starring Twiggy. The National Board of Review voted Russell best director, and Twiggy won the Golden Globe Awards for Best Newcomer and Best Actress (Musical/Comedy). The film was remastered and released to DVD in 2011. Because of The Boy Friend's success, Sandy Wilson wrote Divorce Me, Darling! A show that catches up with the same couples ten years later and is often presented as a companion piece. Trivia The Boy Friend marked Julie Andrews' American Stage Debut. Julie Andrews then made her directorial debut with a production of The Boy Friend at Bay Street Theatre in Sag Harbor, NY, in 2003.

The show was briefly the third-longest-running show on Broadway and the West End, after Chu Chin Chow and Oklahoma!. It was eventually surpassed by Salad Days. Critical Reaction Mediacom TV & Movies | Movies | The Boy Friend The Boy Friend 1971 | 109 min When the leading lady of a traveling theatrical troupe injures herself, the group's shy and demure stage manager, Polly (Twiggy), is suddenly thrust into the spotlight to take her place. As luck would have it, she makes her debut on the same day that famous movie director De Thrill (Vladek Sheybal) attends the performance. Eager to make the jump to motion pictures, all of the actors play to De Thrill, compounding Polly problems. Only the leading man, Tony (Christopher Gable), is sympathetic. Available: Amazon.com, Google Play, iTunes Store, YouTube

Question: In which musical did Twiggy play Polly Browne
Answer: The Boy Friend